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‘Don’t muck him around’: Dagg backs Ruben Love to lock down No. 10
Sport Nation • August 12th, 2026 9:49 am
Ruben Love | Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks’ emphatic 54-0 win over the Sharks in Durban has given selectors plenty to like ahead of their Test series against South Africa, according to Sport Nation hosts Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg.
Speaking just moments after the final whistle blew, the breakfast duo were impressed by New Zealand’s ability to adapt to difficult conditions at Kings Park Stadium, particularly their kicking game, attacking variety and the number of players who put their hands up.
“I thought they kicked extremely well and it set them up perfectly to get their game going,” Dagg said, reserving special mention for the All Blacks’ offloads, running lines and their work in the contact area.
Jordie Barrett was a standout, with Stevenson particularly impressed by the player of the match's work off the boot.
“His kicking game today was outstanding,” he said, pointing to Barrett's ability to repeatedly find space behind the Sharks’ defence.
Fehi Fineanganofo | Photo: Ron Gaunt/Photosport
Ruben Love was another big winner, landing seven of his eight shots at goal in the wet while steering his side around the park with aplomb.
Dagg said the performance proved how much work Love had put into his goal-kicking and backed him to remain at first five-eighth.
"Against the Springboks, you might have to do it in threes. You might just have to be patient, start wearing the opposition down with scoreboard pressure and it might happen in threes, so knowing that Ruben Love can kick it from all parts of the field is hugely valuable.
"I thought he was outstanding tonight."
Even with Richie Mo'unga waiting in the wings as a potential injury replacement, Dagg insists Dave Rennie needs to commit to Love as his first-five and resist the urge to use him at fullback.
“You keep Ruben at No. 10,” Dagg said. “Don’t muck him around.”
"This guy has been mucked around for the last two or three years. He wants to play No. 10. He's spoken about it. You keep him at No. 10.
Sammy attempts to recreate some of Izzy Dagg's test tries | Sport Nation
"You've got players that can come in and play No. 15. Mo'unga goes to the bench and adds that punch from the bench.
"We can't overthink it. It's a very simple decision here."
Kyle Preston also strengthened his claim to be the All Blacks’ second halfback, with Stevenson praising his speed, sniping ability and work around the ruck.
“He looked good tonight,” Stevenson said. ""He is not only very quick to the ruck, but he is very, very good around it.
"He reminds me of a Faf de Klerk. He's got a good sniping game. He understands how to draw defenders in and then create space.
"I think Kyle Preston is going to find himself elevated very quickly through this squad."
There were still areas to improve, including 14 missed tackles and a drop-off in ruck speed in the second half, but Stevenson felt Dave Rennie would've gained plenty from his opportunity to experiment.
“I think today for the All Blacks was a chance to say, ‘Look at the conditions, use your short-kicking game, let’s try things that perhaps in a tighter contest we wouldn’t try.’”
The one major concern was Damian McKenzie, who left the field after appearing to pick up an injury.
Listen to the full chat below:
